Divine Intimacy Radio

Divine Intimacy Radio is a haven of rest and wellspring of spiritual life for those seeking intimacy with God and the enlightened path of Catholic mystical and ascetical wisdom.
Weekly we will explore topics like prayer, spiritual direction, meditation, contemplation, holiness, and much more.

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What is "centering prayer"? Can it lead to contemplation? Do I need to pray to be saved? Dan and Melissa discuss these questions and more as they reflect on the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Is contemplation the same thing as centering prayer?

Can contemplation be attained or prepared for through the centering prayer method?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

How does one get started in mental prayer? What are the imporatant elements to having a good prayer life? Dan and Melissa take on complexities of answering the question "What is prayer?" as they discuss the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Answers to the question "What is prayer?"

How does Jesus' humanity help to orient us to God the Father and The Blessed Trinity?

Why prayer is so much more than "asking for stuff" or doing religious acts that are in some way meritorious or good.

John 14:8,9 - "Show us the Father...Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" - USCCB Bible link

John 10:22-42 - Feast of the Dedication - "...My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one." - USCCB Bible link

Luke 21:34-36 - "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." USCCB Bible link

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

How can we overcome distractions in prayer? How do we recognize transitions in our prayer lives, and how should we respond to them? Dan and Melissa address these questions and more as they discuss the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Are the distractions we experience in prayer from God?

Where do inspirations in prayer come from?

How can I overcome the temptation to get on the computer when I go to pray?

Why is having a sacred space for prayer so important?

Understanding transitions in prayer through the teaching of St Peter.

Definitions of vocal prayer and mental prayer, and the distinctions between them.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

Advent is here. Are you ready? What should you be doing spiritually to prepare for Christmas? Dan and Melissa discuss ways we can prepare our hearts for Christmas during Advent with devotional ideas and lots of resources.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Why is Advent so important in the liturgical calendar?

How does imagery, like icons and manger scenes, help to orient our hearts toward God?

How does the Old Testament help us understand Advent?

How can we get the longing for Jesus that we want during Advent?

Why is Advent considered a penitential season?

Daily Mass readings and the Liturgy of the Hours as extra devotionals during Advent.

Preparing your heart before Mass.

Why is confession so important during Advent?

What devotional elements are essential in spiritual preparation for Christmas?

Links to Episcopal Conferences - Catholic News Agency links to countries or regions with Bishops' Conferences around the globe; scroll down for links throughout the world (the USCCB link also has links to Bishops' Conferences in various states)

The Vatican Website - official website of The Holy See; to view the Vatican Website in a different language, click on the box in the top right hand corner where it says English, then scroll down to the language that you would like to use

1 Corinthians 11:27 - "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord."

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

What is "centering prayer"? What did Sts Peter of Alcántara and Teresa of Avila teach about good prayer? Dan and Melissa reflect on the differences between good prayer and false prayer, as found in St Peter of Alcántara's book Finding God Through Meditation.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Are there incorrect ways to pray?

What did Jesus have to say about prayer?

How does the Catholic Church relate to non-Christian religions?

The asceticism of St. Peter.

Do St. Peter's thoughts on prayer affirm or contradict St. Teresa of Avila's teaching?

Do we need to empty our minds in order to pray well?

How should we orient our minds for good prayer?

What does St. Teresa mean by "human industry" regarding prayer?

Why are some methods of prayer good and others not good?

If the spiritual life is supposed to be simple, why is so much written about it?

Nostra Aetate - Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, a document of the Second Vatican Council, paragraph 2: "Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself."

John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."" - USCCB Bible link

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

Who was St. Peter of Alcántara? What did he have to say about prayer? Join Dan and Melissa as they begin a discussion of his book Finding God Through Meditation, and answer a question from a listener about prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Do I really need to set aside a specific time for prayer every day?

How do ascetical practices help us in prayer?

Can we train our bodies to aid in our prayer lives?

Why is morning the best time to devote to prayer?

What if we don't have time for prayer in the morning?

What is Lectio Divina?

Ways to get our minds oriented toward God.

Does God call us to prayer? How do we recognize His call?

What's the difference between duty and devotion when it comes to prayer?

How does spiritual reading improve our spiritual life?

How did St. Teresa of Avila use the teaching of St. Peter?

Some background on the life of St. Peter.

Next time: Introduction to the book Finding God Through Meditation, and why St. Peter is relevant today.

Psalm 63 - "O God, you are my God—it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts..." - USCCB Bible link

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

What do giant trees and screaming monkeys have to do with praying? Dan and Melissa will tell you. Join them as they discuss reasons why we are distracted in prayer, and offer some strategies to deal with the distractions.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about "the battle of prayer"?

What is the best time to schedule daily prayer?

What if the "best time" for prayer is not possible?

Is it a sin to fall asleep during prayer?

What does God expect from us in prayer?

How can we reach the point where we crave prayer?

Is anyone completely free from distractions in prayer? How is this possible?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

Acts 5:40-41 - "After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name." - USCCB Bible link

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

St. Teresa expresses joy when she learns of the persecution and suffering of the nuns of Seville and Fr. Gracian. Learn when and how to embrace suffering. Dan and Melissa reflect on letters from St. Teresa from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No trial [temptation] has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. - USCCB Bible link

Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - USCCB Bible link

Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." - USCCB Bible link

Romans 8:5 - "For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit." - USCCB Bible link

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

Learn from a saint how to respond to persecution. St. Teresa advises a Carmelite nun to avoid the temptation to indulge in righteous indignation in response to an accusation. Dan and Melissa reflect on a letters from St. Teresa from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Does God provide ways to escape temptations?

How does the enemy work to accuse people, especially those striving for holiness?

Should we actually desire the difficulties we encounter in life? Why?

How can we deal with persecutions in a way that will help us progress spiritually?

Is it possible to accept persecutions with peace? Can we actually embrace them?

Matthew 6:34 - "Sufficient for a day is its own evil." - USCCB Bible link

1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No trial [temptation] has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. - USCCB Bible link

Hebrews 4:15 - "For we have a high priest...who has similarly been tested in every way..." - USCCB Bible link

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link

St. Teresa reveals the secrets to working through, and surviving, suffering. Dan and Melissa continue their discussion of St. Teresa's letter of consolation to her friend Doña Maria de Mendoza from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

In the midst of her own suffering, St. Teresa "lifts the eyes" of Doña Maria de Mendoza who is experiencing trials. St. Teresa consoles her friend by helping her to understand God's role in her suffering. Dan and Melissa discuss joy, suffering, emotions, and acts of the will as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

How to identify the saint who can best help you in your spiritual life.

Can you actually feel joy in the midst of your trials?

Can you prepare yourself in advance for suffering?

What are some things that hinder our spiritual growth?

Can we recognize the value in our suffering?

Does joy in suffering require an act of the will, or is it a gift?

How does suffering aid in spiritual growth?

How do "victim souls" participate in Jesus suffering and salvation of the world?

Understanding that the suffering that God allows is for our salvation.

St. Teresa orders her brother, Lorenzo, to get some sleep. She also councels him on how to deal with attacks of the enemy. Dan and Melissa discuss evil spirits and demonic activity as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

How do we know when prayer is a mystical gift from God?

How are mystical graces, gifts from God, related to holiness?

Was St. Teresa physically attacked by the devil?

Some examples of other saints who have confronted the devil.

Is the devil still active today, or are there psychological answers to problems thought to be demonic?

St. Teresa continues her discussion with her brother, Lorenzo, on physical mortification and addresses his questions about transitioning into contemplative prayer. Dan and Melissa discuss “the prayer of quiet” and confronting temptations as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

When St. Teresa's brother expressed a desire to practice physical mortification she gave him some spiritual direction. Dan and Melissa discuss acesis and spiritual progress as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

What is a hair shirt? How is it used in the spiritual life?

The role of the Holy Spirit in physical ascetical practices.

How can one avoid the sin of pride when practicing ascesis?

Discerning whether, or how, to practice mortification.

Interior mortification vs. external mortification

What are the benefits of ascetical practices?

What are the fruits of suffering? Is voluntary suffering as fruitful as involuntary suffering?

St. Teresa describes her spiritual ecstacies and how they caused her distress. Dan and Melissa talk about how everyone is called to the heights of holiness as they read from St. Teresa's letter to her brother from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Is there a Universal Call to Holiness?

Can everyone reach the advanced stages of prayer that the Saints do?

How do lay people reach the heights of holiness? What should they do when they get there?

How can we recognize temptations from the enemy when they are disguised as good works? Join Dan and Melissa as they discuss St. Teresa's advice to a friend in a letter from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Does God grant special graces? What is a special grace?

How can we know if God has granted us special graces?

Does God work on us through our human frailties?

How does good spiritual direction help us recognize what is, and what is not, a grace from God?

What is the proper response to a gift from God?

How does the enemy disguise his temptations?

Some clues to help recognize the work of the enemy.

The enemy varies his attack based on the spiritual state of the subject.

How can we determine if our crosses are the work of God or the work of the enemy? Dan and Melissa discuss St. Teresa's spiritual advice to a friend in a letter from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Why does God answer our prayers with trials and suffering?

Can the work of the enemy be mistaken for the work of God?

How can we tell if a trial is the work of God and not the work of the devil?

Some tools for discernment: daily examen, spiritual direction, St. Ignatius' Rules of Discernment.

Can an action that seems to be in service to God be inspired by the enemy?

How and why are advanced souls more at risk of attacks from the devil?

Moderation in spiritual life in St. Teresa's time contrasted with modern society.

Dan and Melissa discuss the impact of suffering on prayer and how to differentiate true prayer from manufactured prayer. Listen as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Dan and Melissa discuss stages of prayer and the transitions between the stages, focusing particularly on contemplative prayer. Join them as they reflect on letters of St. Teresa from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

What is contemplative prayer, or contemplation?

How does contemplative prayer differ from meditation and other forms of prayer?

How to recognize contemplative prayer.

What to do when one experiences contemplative prayer.

Melissa shares a personal experience as an example of contemplative prayer.

Listen to reflections on letters of St. Teresa from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila. In today's show Dan and Melissa answer the questions: What is a "rule of life"? Why do you need one? How do you make one?

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Motivation vs. structure when making a plan for loving God.

How to start with a "small yes".

The importance of having a written plan.

How to identify your root sin. Why do you need to?

How to find joy in discipline and beauty in structure via a Rule of Life.

How does a saint respond to persecution? Recognizing the aspects of a saint's character. St. Teresa's letters reveal some of the secrets to sainthood. Reflections on Day 18 from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.